I don’t think much of a man who is not wiser today than he was yesterday.
(Abraham Lincoln)
We hear it often. Ramadan is more than just abstaining from food and drink. Without a doubt, food and drink does become its main focus. It is indeed also a time to control our selves and suppress any character flaws that we have, which potentially cause offence to others and at the very least inhibits our personal effectiveness.
Ramadan provides us with an opportunity for change every year. However, lasting change will not come about through the abstention of food and drink alone. It is said that it takes 21-30 days to form a new habit, so this is the perfect time to try.
I have listed a process below that you can follow, maybe even with your friends and family members.
PROCESS FOR CHANGE
STEP 1:
List all of your personal character traits which you are not pleased with.
STEP 2:
Sort and prioritise this list so that the trait which carries the most importance to you is listed at the top.
Example:
1. Backbiting
2. Anger
3. Over-eating of unhealthy food
STEP 3:
Take the first 3 from this list and begin to work with the first trait for the first 10 days of Ramadan, introducing the second trait in the next 10 days and finally the 3rd trait in the last 10 days.
This will enable you to provide full 30 days attention to your top and most challenging trait whilst in parallel working on the others. Make the intention, commit the trait to paper and pray to Allah for help.
I hope the above benefits you and your friends. Do leave a comment, anonymously if you wish, to share your top 3 traits that you intend to work on.
PS. I had a really bad headache today in the afternoon. TIP: Avoid spending time in direct sunlight during midday hours if possible and drink plenty of water after you break your fast and at Sehri (no brainer – but easily forgotten).
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